Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential
The integration of renewable energy with circular economy strategies offers effective pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing local energy independence. This study analyses three real-world projects implemented in Spain that exemplify this synergy. LIFE Smart Agromobility convert...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Juan Pous de la Flor María-Pilar Martínez-Hernando Roberto Paredes Enrique Garcia-Franco Juan Pous Cabello Marcelo F. Ortega |
| author_facet | Juan Pous de la Flor María-Pilar Martínez-Hernando Roberto Paredes Enrique Garcia-Franco Juan Pous Cabello Marcelo F. Ortega |
| author_sort | Juan Pous de la Flor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The integration of renewable energy with circular economy strategies offers effective pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing local energy independence. This study analyses three real-world projects implemented in Spain that exemplify this synergy. LIFE Smart Agromobility converts pig manure into biomethane to power farm vehicles, using anaerobic digestion and microalgae-based upgrading systems. Smart Met Value refines biogas from a wastewater treatment plant in Guadalajara to produce high-purity biomethane for the municipal fleet, demonstrating the viability of energy recovery from sewage sludge. The UNDERGY project addresses green hydrogen storage by repurposing a depleted natural gas reservoir, showing geochemical and geomechanical feasibility for seasonal underground hydrogen storage. Each project utilises regionally available resources to produce clean fuels—biomethane or hydrogen—while mitigating methane and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Results show significant energy recovery potential: biomethane production can replace a substantial portion of fossil fuel use in rural and urban settings, while hydrogen storage provides a scalable solution for surplus renewable energy. These applied cases demonstrate not only the technical feasibility but also the socio-economic benefits of integrating waste valorisation and energy transition technologies. Together, they represent replicable models for sustainable development and energy resilience across Europe and beyond. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f079deea58c4bd8b45dd16f919a72ef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f079deea58c4bd8b45dd16f919a72ef2025-08-20T03:28:33ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011513751410.3390/app15137514Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future PotentialJuan Pous de la Flor0María-Pilar Martínez-Hernando1Roberto Paredes2Enrique Garcia-Franco3Juan Pous Cabello4Marcelo F. Ortega5Laboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, SpainLaboratorio de Ingeniería de Proyectos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28003 Madrid, SpainThe integration of renewable energy with circular economy strategies offers effective pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing local energy independence. This study analyses three real-world projects implemented in Spain that exemplify this synergy. LIFE Smart Agromobility converts pig manure into biomethane to power farm vehicles, using anaerobic digestion and microalgae-based upgrading systems. Smart Met Value refines biogas from a wastewater treatment plant in Guadalajara to produce high-purity biomethane for the municipal fleet, demonstrating the viability of energy recovery from sewage sludge. The UNDERGY project addresses green hydrogen storage by repurposing a depleted natural gas reservoir, showing geochemical and geomechanical feasibility for seasonal underground hydrogen storage. Each project utilises regionally available resources to produce clean fuels—biomethane or hydrogen—while mitigating methane and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. Results show significant energy recovery potential: biomethane production can replace a substantial portion of fossil fuel use in rural and urban settings, while hydrogen storage provides a scalable solution for surplus renewable energy. These applied cases demonstrate not only the technical feasibility but also the socio-economic benefits of integrating waste valorisation and energy transition technologies. Together, they represent replicable models for sustainable development and energy resilience across Europe and beyond.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7514hydrogenbiomethaneenergy storageemerging technologieswaste treatment |
| spellingShingle | Juan Pous de la Flor María-Pilar Martínez-Hernando Roberto Paredes Enrique Garcia-Franco Juan Pous Cabello Marcelo F. Ortega Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential Applied Sciences hydrogen biomethane energy storage emerging technologies waste treatment |
| title | Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential |
| title_full | Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential |
| title_fullStr | Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential |
| title_short | Waste as a Source of Fuel and Developments in Hydrogen Storage: Applied Cases in Spain and Their Future Potential |
| title_sort | waste as a source of fuel and developments in hydrogen storage applied cases in spain and their future potential |
| topic | hydrogen biomethane energy storage emerging technologies waste treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7514 |
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